Chapter 124 - Origin of the monster wave
Translator: Yonnee
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Thinking that I had asked all the questions I wanted to, I waited a little longer until he sighed and then spoke.
"Shall we go down?"
"...Yes."
His still hoarse voice made me chuckle unintentionally.
"Please stop laughing."
He said, somewhat reproachful, and followed me reluctantly.
"Well then, I'm off."
"Ah, yes. Get in first."
"Yes."
But as I was already walking away, he suddenly called out to me.
"Oh, that's right. I forgot to mention something important."
"What is it?"
"In truth, that woman doesn't inherently have the ability to cross dimensions."
"...What?"
Ciel continued speaking, an expression that couldn't hide his displeasure pasted upon his face.
" Smartphone."
The word, which I hadn't heard in a long time, felt strangely unfamiliar.
"The smartphone she carried was a device that aided her in shifting dimensions."
"...Does that make sense?"
"What doesn't make sense? Meeting you here in the Stern Empire already doesn't make sense."
"...True."
I felt a dizzying sensation at words I hadn't expected. Being able to travel dimensions with a smartphone?
"So..."
Before I could finish my sentence, he answered.
"Right. That's why I couldn't return to the Empire. And I suddenly went on a rampage. Even if I try to recall the memories of that time, I can't remember them well."
"......"
I didn't want to remember that memory either. Seeing me getting serious, Ciel tried to force a smile.
"I didn't mean for you to remember. Don't do that."
As if he had peered into my thoughts, he lightly tousled my hair and then withdrew his hand. It seemed like he wanted to touch me but was restraining himself.
"Go ahead and get inside first."
"...Alright."
I turned away from him and took a few steps consciously without looking back. However, I couldn't help but stop. I turned my head and spoke to him.
"You should forget, too."
I conveyed my sincerity to him, someone who probably remembered even greater pain than I did.
In response, it seemed like he nodded with reddened eyes, looking as if he was about to cry again.
* * *
The crown prince had recently developed an unusual hobby: observing Ciel. Being unintentionally in close proximity to the guy, he really couldn't help but notice who it was that Ciel was watching.
Ciel was like a desperate puppy whenever the baron's daughter would pass by. It was as if he were a dog on an invisible leash, yearning to follow but unable to.
Did a duke like him really need to be so self-conscious?
At this point, Jace found himself thinking the same way, unknowingly. What was that saying again-to have one's arms bent inward? Not that he understood his childhood friend completely, but Jace found Ciel even odder whenever Lady Closch was involved.
So, when they headed to the starting point of the monster wave, Jace insisted on including the lady.
"How about bringing the lady along?"
"What? Why would my daughter...?"
Upon hearing this, the baron stepped forward and expressed his qualms. Quite honestly, the crown prince had grown to like the baron, so he could overlook this mistake in etiquette. However, of course, it was different for the chief attendant.
"You are in the presence of His Highness the Crown Prince. Do watch your behavior."
In response to the chief attendant's words, Arthur apologized readily.
"My apologies, Your Highness."
"It's fine. I rather like the Baron's straightforwardness."
As Crown Prince Jace expressed his favor in this way, Arthur turned to him again as though that was his cue to speak.
"But why must you take Irene to such a perilous place, Your Highness...?"
Alongside observing Ciel as of late, Jace had also noticed that the baron was particularly weak against Irene as well. However, he didn't know that he would express this much concern for his daughter.
Even Ciel stepped forward to aid the baron's stance. Seeing this, Jace was taken aback.
"Why on earth are you taking Irene to such a dangerous place?"
With his eyes narrowed, Ciel looked as if he were a loyal hunting dog, determined to protect his master.
In this case, Jace was actually trying to give Ciel a helping hand here, but it seemed like the guy had a one-track mind and couldn't see.
If Jace could be granted just one wish right now, he'd very much love to kick Ciel in the shin.
It was then that Irene stepped forward.
"I actually don't mind, Your Highness. Thank you."
She replied calmly and then turned to face the crown prince directly.
"Your Highness, may I have some time to change into appropriate attire for the location?"
Only belatedly did Jace notice Irene, dressed in a formal gown, and he coughed awkwardly.
"Of course! I wasn't suggesting that we go there while you're still in a dress, was I?"
He pretended not to know, but he was sweating profusely. After all, Arthur and Ciel were giving him disapproving looks from behind her.
